Rapidly melting snow Wednesday afternoon led to two separate crashes just moments apart on Interstate 95 in Ludlow.

State Police say that 49-year-old Lisa Condon of Houlton was traveling south in a 2014 Jeep around 1:15 p.m. when she drove into a large pool of standing water that had accumulated from the melting snow.

Mrs. Condon's vehicle hydroplaned, skidded off the highway, rolled over, and came to rest in deep snow over an embankment.  She was trapped inside the vehicle and was hanging upside down from her seat belt, according to Trooper Chuck Michaud.

Condon was able to call 911 and give directions to her location.  Members of the Houlton Fire Department and Ambulance Service helped extricate her from the vehicle.  She was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

Maine State Police
Maine State Police
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The Jeep was towed from the scene.

Shortly after the first crash, 55-year-old Holly McNally of Sherman also drove into the same pool of standing water, Michaud said.  Mrs. McNally’s 2000 Chevrolet sedan skidded out of control and went off into the median, and ended up on top of a snow bank.

McNally was not injured in the crash. Her vehicle had to be towed from the scene. Police say the drivers in both crashes were wearing seat belts.

Maine DOT was able to plow back the banks of snow, which allowed the water to drain off of the interstate.  The interstate in Ludlow was reduced to one lane for approximately 1 1/2 hours while the accident scenes were cleared.

State Police urge motorists to reduce speed and be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions during this time of year with warmer day temperatures causing snow to melt, which often freezes quickly once the temperatures drop in the evening as the sun sets.

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